The 2006 NFL playoffs decided the champion of the 2005 season. They ran from January 7 to February 5, 2006, with 12 teams and 11 games. The Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl XL, beating the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 at Ford Field.
2006 NFL playoff results
Wild Card Round
| Date | Game | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 7 | (10) Washington Redskins at (3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Redskins 17-10 | |
| Sat, Jan 7 | (7) Jacksonville Jaguars at (6) New England Patriots | Patriots 28-3 | |
| Sun, Jan 8 | (8) Carolina Panthers at (4) New York Giants | Panthers 23-0 | |
| Sun, Jan 8 | (9) Pittsburgh Steelers at (5) Cincinnati Bengals | Steelers 31-17 |
Divisional Round
| Date | Game | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 14 | (10) Washington Redskins at (12) Seattle Seahawks | Seahawks 20-10 | |
| Sat, Jan 14 | (6) New England Patriots at (1) Denver Broncos | Broncos 27-13 | |
| Sun, Jan 15 | (9) Pittsburgh Steelers at (11) Indianapolis Colts | Steelers 21-18 | |
| Sun, Jan 15 | (8) Carolina Panthers at (2) Chicago Bears | Panthers 29-21 |
Conference Championships
| Date | Game | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Jan 22 | (9) Pittsburgh Steelers at (1) Denver Broncos | Steelers 34-17 | |
| Sun, Jan 22 | (8) Carolina Panthers at (12) Seattle Seahawks | Seahawks 34-14 |
Super Bowl XL
| Date | Game | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Feb 5 | (12) Seattle Seahawks vs (9) Pittsburgh Steelers | Steelers 21-10 | Ford Field, Detroit, MI |
Stadium names are shown as they are today. Seeds are shown where the NFL published them.
Who made the 2006 NFL playoffs?
12 teams qualified for the postseason after the 2005 regular season.
AFC
| Seed | Team | Record | Exit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver Broncos | 13-3 | Lost Conference |
| 5 | Cincinnati Bengals | 11-5 | Lost Wild Card |
| 6 | New England Patriots | 10-6 | Lost Divisional |
| 7 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 12-4 | Lost Wild Card |
| 9 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 11-5 | Champion |
| 11 | Indianapolis Colts | 14-2 | Lost Divisional |
NFC
| Seed | Team | Record | Exit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Chicago Bears | 11-5 | Lost Divisional |
| 3 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 11-5 | Lost Wild Card |
| 4 | New York Giants | 11-5 | Lost Wild Card |
| 8 | Carolina Panthers | 11-5 | Lost Conference |
| 10 | Washington Redskins | 10-6 | Lost Divisional |
| 12 | Seattle Seahawks | 13-3 | Lost Super Bowl |
Key facts from the 2006 postseason
- The champion entered the playoffs as the No. 9 seed in the AFC with a 11-5 record.
- Lower seeds won 7 games before the Super Bowl.
- Road teams won 6 of 10 games before the Super Bowl.
- Biggest margin: the New England Patriots beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 28-3 (Wild Card).
2006 NFL playoffs FAQ
Who won the 2006 NFL playoffs?
The Pittsburgh Steelers, who beat the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 in Super Bowl XL on February 5, 2006.
Where was Super Bowl XL played?
Ford Field in Detroit, MI.
Who won the AFC Championship in 2006?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Denver Broncos 34-17.
Who won the NFC Championship in 2006?
The Seattle Seahawks beat the Carolina Panthers 34-14.
Which season were the 2006 playoffs part of?
The 2005 NFL season. Playoff games are played in January and February, so each postseason carries the following calendar year.